Sabrina T Wong1, Annette Browne2, Josée Lavoie3, Martha L P Macleod4, Meck Chongo5, Cathy Ulrich6. 1. Professor, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, and School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. 2. Professor, University of British Columbia School of Nursing, Vancouver, BC. 3. Director, Manitoba First Nations - Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. 4. Professor and Chair, University of Northern British Columbia School of Nursing, Prince George, BC. 5. Sessional Instructor, University of Northern British Columbia School of Nursing, Prince George, BC. 6. President and CEO, Northern Health Authority, Prince George, BC.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Group medical visits (GMVs) have been touted as an innovation to effectively and efficiently provide primary healthcare (PHC) services. The purpose of this paper is to report whether GMVs have tangible benefits for providers and patients. METHODS: This descriptive study included in-depth interviews with patients attending and providers facilitating GMVs and direct observation. Five primary care practices in rural towns and four First Nations communities participated. This paper reports on an analysis of interviews and observations. RESULTS: Thirty-four providers and 29 patients were interviewed. Patient participants were an average of 62 years old, mostly female and married. The three most common chronic conditions reported by patients were diabetes (n = 9), high blood pressure (n = 8) and arthritis (n = 7). Three themes illustrated how GMVs: (1) can foster access to needed health services; (2) expand opportunities for collaboration and team-based care; and (3) improve patient and provider experiences. A fourth theme captured structural challenges in delivering GMVs. DISCUSSION: There are tangible benefits in delivering GMVs in PHC. While whole patient panels can benefit from the integration of GMVs into practice, those who could gain the most are patients with complex medical and social needs. GMVs provide an opportunity to enhance PHC, strengthening the system particularly for patients with chronic conditions.
OBJECTIVE: Group medical visits (GMVs) have been touted as an innovation to effectively and efficiently provide primary healthcare (PHC) services. The purpose of this paper is to report whether GMVs have tangible benefits for providers and patients. METHODS: This descriptive study included in-depth interviews with patients attending and providers facilitating GMVs and direct observation. Five primary care practices in rural towns and four First Nations communities participated. This paper reports on an analysis of interviews and observations. RESULTS: Thirty-four providers and 29 patients were interviewed. Patientparticipants were an average of 62 years old, mostly female and married. The three most common chronic conditions reported by patients were diabetes (n = 9), high blood pressure (n = 8) and arthritis (n = 7). Three themes illustrated how GMVs: (1) can foster access to needed health services; (2) expand opportunities for collaboration and team-based care; and (3) improve patient and provider experiences. A fourth theme captured structural challenges in delivering GMVs. DISCUSSION: There are tangible benefits in delivering GMVs in PHC. While whole patient panels can benefit from the integration of GMVs into practice, those who could gain the most are patients with complex medical and social needs. GMVs provide an opportunity to enhance PHC, strengthening the system particularly for patients with chronic conditions.
Authors: C N Sadur; N Moline; M Costa; D Michalik; D Mendlowitz; S Roller; R Watson; B E Swain; J V Selby; W C Javorski Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: M Trento; P Passera; E Borgo; M Tomalino; M Bajardi; A Brescianini; M Tomelini; S Giuliano; F Cavallo; V Miselli; P Bondonio; M Porta Journal: Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 4.222
Authors: Dawn E Clancy; Dennis W Cope; Kathryn Marley Magruder; Peng Huang; Tamara E Wolfman Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2003-07 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: John C Scott; Douglas A Conner; Ingrid Venohr; Glenn Gade; Marlene McKenzie; Andrew M Kramer; Lucinda Bryant; Arne Beck Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Josée G Lavoie; Sabrina T Wong; Meck Chongo; Annette J Browne; Martha L P MacLeod; Cathy Ulrich Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-04-29 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Gitanjali Srivastava; Kenya D Palmer; Kathy A Ireland; Ashley C McCarthy; Kate E Donovan; Aaron J Manders; Juhee McDougal; Carine M Lenders; Caroline M Apovian Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 3.418
Authors: Kim H Wadsworth; Trevor G Archibald; Allison E Payne; Anita K Cleary; Byron L Haney; Adam S Hoverman Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2019-07-08 Impact factor: 2.497